Inter Europol Commits to 12H Sebring

Polish squad Inter Europol Competition has committed to running in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale at Sebring next month after debuting in the series last weekend at Motul Petit Le Mans.

Jakub Smiechowski will be joined by Matt Bell and Naveen Rao for the Mobil1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. It is believed that the team will utilize the same chassis that it employed at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Smiechowski teamed with Rob Hodes and Austin McCusker for Petit Le Mans in an entry that was supported by IMSA regular PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.

“We are very happy,” said team manager Sascha Fassbender. “The team has worked flat out and did a great job. A lot of firsts this weekend and best of all a first LMP2 podium finish [for the team].

“It was a fantastic experience and we are looking forward to taking all we learned from here and put them to good use in Sebring in four weeks.”

Smiechowski, who campaigns a Ligier JS P217 Gibson for the team in the European Le Mans Series, said he found his first IMSA experience to be very positive.

“It was really good,” said the Polish racer. “I enjoyed it all. Inside the Oreca it was much smaller than in the Ligier and it took a little while to get used to it.

“And I found the Oreca a little easier to drive as there is more front grip. I am very happy to be on the podium as the crew worked so hard. I am glad we could give them what they deserved.”

Before making its Sebring debut, Inter Europol will return to LMP2 and LMP3 competition in Portugal for the ELMS finale at Portimao where Martin Hippe will attempt to overcome a 10-point deficit to win the LMP3 driver’s championship.

This story has been updated to include Naveen Rao and Matt Bell in the Sebring driver lineup.